This thread is just an overview for anyone interested in a basic Krav Maga Women’s Self-Defense Class. I’m just making a short log about the experience of taking this beginner class, but anyone is welcome to comment, share their experience, or ask questions.
First Class Session.
About 30 women in the class. Most were mother/daughter pairs which was PERFECT since I’m taking this class with my fourteen-year-old daughter. There were lots of young girls about her age. The whole class was very hands-on. Observe the technique, then practice. They had three instructors helping and correcting.
Content.
Being Alert to Your Environment.
How to stand, walk with head up, looking alert. Not being an easy target because you’re distracted looking down at your phone, or digging in your purse for keys.
What To Do If an Unwanted Person Attempts to Get in Personal Space.
We practiced using a loud/ assertive voice. “STOP!” STOP RIGHT THERE!" One foot behind us, so we had a nice stable base of support. We assumed running was NOT an option.
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If the person continued to advance, we practiced hitting them hard in the chest with the heels of our hands.
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Then that push got combined with a groin kick. We took turns holding a pad at the chest and then down toward the groin so our partner could practice.
This looked a lot like the first 40 seconds of this video, where someone keeps coming so you push them in the chest. Then we combined that with a groin kick. They didn’t show us to evade by stepping to the side part that he teaches in the video, or the more advanced part later where he gets the guys chin and face.
The remainder of the class was focused on what to do if someone grabs you with their hands around the neck.
Apparently this is one of the most common attacks against women, and they often see if in domestic violence situations. We practiced getting loose from an attacker grabbing us around the neck from front, sides, and back.
The technique we learned looked almost exactly like this. Hand shoots up with bicep to ear, stepping and twisting our body so the attacker’s wrist was getting bent backward in an awkward position. Trying to grab and trap both of their hands against our chest, followed by elbows or fists combined with knees to the groin.
Impressions: It was an EXCELLENT way to spend an hour with my daughter. Well worth the time. We live in a very safe area, BUT she’s very polite, cordial, and really has no experience being assertive or physically defensive if needed. Also, it was good for her to see these female instructors being so capable and assertive.
Both of us are very petite women. Of course strength and size matters, but this is all about exploiting the weak or sensitive spots on the body. For example, in the escape from the two handed neck grab, the attacker’s wrist doesn’t want to bend backward, so the attacker immediately wants to let go when twisting your body is forcing their wrist to bend the wrong way.
This is just a start and we’ll forget all of this unless we take the time to continue to practice and occasionally take a refresher course or continue with more training.
@idaho, tagging you since you asked me to log about it. And tagging @twojarslave. You’ve both so encouraging and helpful. Thank you!
Maybe this is helpful to other women who are considering taking a class, or to some of you thinking about encouraging or training with your daughters, GFs, or wives.